Sir Keir Starmer has “no doubt” flights to Rwanda will take off, but Labor would cancel plan “immediately” | Politics News

The Labor leader has set out his party’s plan to tackle illegal immigration, including dismantling the Rwanda plan and introducing a new Border Security Command.

Sir Keir Starmer has said he has no doubt the government will launch flights to Rwanda, but that Labor would “cancel the plan immediately” if they win the next general election.

He Labour The party leader, announcing his party’s policy on illegal immigration in Dover, said the government’s flagship policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda will not work.

“They will take off flights, I don’t doubt it, but I also don’t doubt that it won’t work,” he said.

Asked by Sky News political editor Beth Rigby if that meant he would stop any deportation flights to Rwanda on the first day of a Labor government, he said: “We will scrap the Rwanda plan.

“I told you that when we met for the last time last week, the week before last, and you know, that means ending the plan.

“Absolutely. Flights and everything.”

He added: “We will cancel the plan – of course that means we won’t implement it at all, it’s a trick, I won’t flog a dead horse.”

“Let’s get rid of this policy immediately.”

Labor later clarified that the party would not stop any flights already planned, but would not schedule any more.

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The Rwandan government’s plan, aimed at deterring asylum seekers arriving in the UK on boats across the English Channel, has been stalled by legal arguments, but last month it became law. However, no flights have left yet.

The plan means that any asylum seeker who enters the UK illegally from a safe country such as France could be sent to Rwanda, where their asylum claims would be processed. They would not be allowed to apply to return to the UK.

As Sir Keir announced Labor plans to stop small boats crossing into the UK, Sky News witnessed a Border Force boat carrying around 70 migrants, including at least one child, disembark in Dover after being picked up In the channel.

In the speech given at Dover together new Labor MP Natalie ElphickeSir Keir insisted that “our asylum system must be rebuilt”.

As part of Labour’s plan, he announced:

• A new Border Security Command, funded by scrapping the Rwanda plan, with “hundreds of specialist investigators” from the NCA, Border Force, CPS, MI5 and the Immigration Enforcement Service.

• Hopes for a new partnership with Europol and new intelligence sharing networks

• New counter-terrorism powers to allow officers to carry out border stop and searches, close bank accounts, track movements and cut off internet access to people smugglers.

• A rules-based asylum system with rapid reforms, a law enforcement unit and a return agreement with the EU.

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The Labor leader said: “We will restore serious government to our borders, tackle this problem at its source and replace the Rwanda policy permanently.”

Turning a blind eye to human trafficking is “not a progressive or compassionate position”, Sir Keir said.

He said that “our asylum system must be rebuilt and our borders must be secured”, and accused the Conservatives of having been driven from a serious governing party “to the rocks of their own deception” in their search for a ” politics of gestures” on immigration.

“Our rules-based system should align with global rules that protect individual human rights,” Sir Keir added.

“That’s in our interest and it’s the right thing to do.”

Sir Keir insisted new Labor MP Elphicke’s defection from the Conservatives on Wednesday reflected the mood of the country as Rishi Sunak “clinged” to power.

Asked if he was worried about the reaction within the Labor Party to Ms Elphicke’s defection, he said: “This is a very important and significant junction for the reasons set out by Natalie.

“I think anyone who reads the words she expressed this morning would be persuaded that this is something very significant: we have a Conservative party that is losing votes, losing MPs, losing councilors and mayors across the country.”

Reacting to Sir Keir’s announcement, Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Labour has no plan to stop the boats.

“Labour has an amnesty against illegal immigration, Labor blocked the deportation of violent sex offenders and Labor voted more than 130 times against tougher legislation to stop the boats. They will create a haven for criminal gangs, not them. they will stop.

“Even Labor MPs say Labor can’t be trusted to stop the boats, which shows nothing will change.

“If people can apply for asylum from outside the UK then unlimited claims can be made, many of which will have to be accepted in accordance with the law and even then, many of those rejected will be put on a small boat anyway.” .